Solihull Council has been accused of acting secretly over the controversial £100 million redevelopment of Shirley.
Coun Howard Allen (Lib Dem, Shirley West) said the public would be barred from a discussion on the project, which includes a supermarket, restaurants and apartments, at a Cabinet meeting tomorrow.
He argued that only three short paragraphs out of a four-and-a-half page report could constitute information which could be withheld from the public under the Local Government Act of 1972.
He said: “The Heart of Shirley scheme has been notorious for its lack of consultation and unnecessary secrecy as typified by the April 23 report to Cabinet.
“The Act specifically emphasises that information is not exempt information if it relates to proposed development for which the local planning authority may grant itself planning permission.
“My view is that Solihull Council would be exceeding its powers in withholding the whole report.”
Council leader Ken Meeson said the report would be dealt with in private because it deals with financial and contractual arrangements with the developers, Shirley Advance.
